Writing Prompt: Toni Morrison Interview

Sonja Popovic
Writing I
Professor Jackson
November 25, 2014

Writing Prompt: 

Toni Morrison Interview

I thought that the interviewer was quite rude. He was ungracious, not funny at all, and undeniably dismissive of Morrison's work. He tried too hard to include humor in his interview, which makes sense since it was Comedy Central, but then the humor should be effortless and on point, rather than at the expense of the author's work. His comment about the midlife crisis was plainly dumb and served no purpose but to undermine both the author's experiences in her life up until she was 39 and her decision to start being an author - as though suggesting that it was an anomalous mistake. The other distasteful comment was when the interviewer said how he needs to pigeonhole everyone - but why? I don't understand his contradictory statement that he doesn't see race but that he absolutely needs to label Morrison as an African-American writer. Two things are wrong with his comment. Firstly, everyone sees race so the interviewer saying he doesn't is obviously dishonest. Secondly, why does he need to bring up race at all - especially when he claims that the concept is foreign to him? In this context, bringing up race undermines the author's literary success and by even including it in his show, demonstrates that he does in fact see race - very acutely even. He was repeatedly disrespectful and off-track... 

Not All the Same

Jenesis Veras

November 25, 2014

Professor Jackson

Writing 1

Writing Prompt: Toni Morrison Video

           

The greatest living author and Nobel Prize winner in Literature, Toni Morrison stated that she does not want to be viewed as an African American writer but simply as an American writer. In her mind, race is a terminology, which can only be defined as a human being. She does not want any specific label relating the color of skin because it is an act of racism, which is a social contract and of which money can be made off of. We all need to know something about racism but there is no such thing as race.

The interviewer links President Barack Obama with Toni Morrison probably because they are both well-known successful African Americans. However, when Toni Morrison makes a joke about her being responsible for Obama Care, we can clearly see what the negative effect is of linking people together. Due to the fact that they are people with the same color, many may believe that they may have the same mindset. That is the reason why she simply wanted to be labeled as an American because once one starts categorizing groups of individuals, one starts to assume that they all share one common belief.

White Soil

This reminds me of a white student on the NYU class of 2018 Facebook page who was defending Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot Mike Brown. I found his comments to be disgusting and inhumane because just as Toni Morrison stated in the interview, race is just the human race while racism is a social construct that creates certain benefits for white people. I’m angry–no, I have been angry ever since Trayvon Martin's death because criminals, racist criminals are still enjoying their freedom while the black young man lays in his grave. And that black young black is asking, screaming for our support; his innocent blood calls for our action of justice. And although I’m not black, my heart still grieves because it just doesn’t make sense to me that a young boy who could have been in college right now, like I am, is no longer able to have this opportunity because of a white man, a white society, a white history.

I joined the protest last night and as I was raising my hands and chanting, “no justice no peace, no racist police,” I could feel the world becoming more equal in my heart but in my mind, I was aware that I was still walking on white soil.  

- Bremda Acosta

The Fast and the Hungry

Journal by Amanda Regalado
October 2014
The Fast and the Hungry

"Nobody can give you freedom.  Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything.  If you're a man, you'll take it."
-Malcolm X

"There are two types of people in this world, Amanda," my dad would tell me. "There are the Fast and the Hungry."
In moments like these, my dad was literally talking about food.  There are the Fast--those who eat their meal quickly enough so that others don't start picking off of their plate.  Then, there are the Hungry.  The Hungry are those who eat slowly, so slowly that the Fast people take all of their food because they did not eat it quickly enough.  The Hungry are hungry because they did not take advantage of the opportunity to eat all of their food.  The Fast are not hungry because they took the opportunity not only to eat their own food, but to eat the Hungrys' food as well.  This is just a silly analogy my father told me when I was little, but this analogy relates to much more than people sharing dinner together at a family table.  Malcolm X once said, "Nobody can give you freedom.  Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything.  If you're a man, you'll take it." In terms of social justice and equality, you cannot expect it to be handed to you freely on an open platter.  You must take it, according to Malcolm X.  You must actively pursue equality.  If you don't, you will end up being the Hungry.

Ignorance and Privilege

Journal by Amanda Regalado

10/20/14

Ignorance and Privilege

"Ignorance of how we are shaped racially is the first sign of privilege. In other words: It is a privilege to ignore the consequence of race in America."

-Time Wise

Prejudice. Discrimination. Hatred.  It is extraordinarily sad to know that these words describe what present day American Society is full of, even in 2014.  In 2014, racism still lives and is acted upon.  Even I find myself guilty of making middles remarks about racial stereotypes when speaking casually with my friends.  Why is that? Why is human kind still separating one another into white and non-white?  What will it take for people to truly see one another as human beings who bleed the same blood?

Tim Wise once said, "Ignorance of how we are shaped racially is the first sign of privilege. In other words: It is a privilege to ignore the consequence of race in America."  In this assertion, Tim declares that many Americans today are ignorant of the racial discrimination that still occurs.  Today, people of "color" are still separated from white people.  People of "color" statistically dace discrimination in the work force and are underrepresented in systems for higher education.  Yes, progress is being made to end this racial prejudice, but there is still much room to grow.  Let's check our privilege, friends. There's room to grow.

Life: A Random Hand.

Journal by Amanda Regalado
10/6/14
Life: A Random Hand.

"I want to have fun. It's a beautiful life. You learn, you win, you lose, you get up."
-Nas

Life: A random hand of cards drawn to you, cards that you cannot control or choose.  Life: A box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.  Life: A game everyone is given an opportunity to play.  Crazy. Unpredictable. Fun. Life.

A writer named Naz once said, "I want to have fun. It's a beautiful life. You learn, you win, you lose, you get up." This quote is reflective of Naz's sunny disposition and optimistic outlook on life.  I very much love this quote.  In fact, I am going to tweet it later.  I like it not because it is deep, not because it is philosophical, but because it accurately describes my outlook on life.  Something I hold of utmost importance is happiness.  Some people try to find their happiness in money.  Others in success.  Still others in relationships.  I am guilty of each of these. However, in order to obtain true happiness, you cannot put your fate in the hands of these objects that are imperfect, that are temporary.  These things will only let you down.  Happiness is a choice.  You must choose to be happy, regardless of your situation.  True happiness comes from appreciating life.  All of life.  Its about finding the beauty in the not-so-beautiful, and seeing the light in the dark.  

Machiavelli

Journal by Amanda Regalado
9/24/14
Machiavelli

"You either love or you hate. You live in the middle, you get nothing."
-Charlie Sheen

When in a position of power or leadership, is it better to be loved, or hated by your people?  This is the age-old Machiavellian question that modern day American Society is still attempting to answer.  In terms of celebrities, the best PR is to act out in ways that force the public to either love you or hate you.  Both positive and negative PR will bring you success as a celebrity.  But, which type of PR brings the most success??

The benefits of public love are visible through actress Jennifer Lawrence whose fan base, despite a minor mishap of leaked nude photos, is stronger than ever, thriving on her sincerity and down-to-earth aura.  Opposite, Charlie Sheen, the epitome of a hate-fame celebrity, acts out in an unruly manner in order to retain recognition from his fans.  Which outlet is the most effective at self-promotion?  Which outlet is more glorifying?  According to Charlie Sheen, "You either love or you hate. You live in the middle, you get nothing."  Sheen asserts that if you are in pursuit of anything indifference will prevent you from receiving it.  If you want to be famous, you've got to induce either love or hate from your audience.  For Sheen, love or hate does not matter.  Either route will suffice.  According to Machiavelli, however, being hated and feared proves to be more successful. And fun.